coal although use is expected to be displaced by natural gas in some parts of the world only a slight drop its share total energy consumption projected 2020 continues dominate many national fuel markets developing asia has been period gener ally slow growth since late 1980s trend that continue 1999 consump tion at4 7billionshorttons 7 was15percenthigherthan coalusein1980 itwaslowerthaninanyyearsince1984 figure 53 international outlook 2002 ieo2002 reference case projects between and at an average annual rate 1 percent on tonnage basis but with considerable variation among regions decline western europe east ern former soviet union fsu increases are united states japan declined 35 1985 btu large part growing nat ural france nuclear power even sharper declinesoccurredinthecountriesofeasterneuropeand ee where fell 48
